Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

Luke 22:17

δεξάμενος, having received from the hand of another (different from λαβὼν, Luke 22:19), handed to Him that He might drink. εὐχαριστήσας, this solemn act gives to the handing round of the cup here mentioned the character of a prelude to the Holy Supper: (“quaedam quasi prolusio S. Coenae,” Beng. in reference to Luke 22:15-18). If the reading of [184] and some Old Latin codd. which makes Luke 22:19 stop at σῶμά μου and omits Luke 22:20 be the true text (vide critical notes above), then Lk.'s account of the institution really begins in Luke 22:17, and what happened according to it was this: Jesus first sent round the cup, saying: take this and divide it among yourselves, then took bread, broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying: this is my body. In this version two things are to be noted: first, the inversion of the actions; second, the omission of all reference to the blood in connection with the wine. The existence of such a reading as that of D and the Old Latin version raises questions, not only as to Lk.'s text, but as to church practice in the Apostolic age and afterwards; or, assuming as a possibility that Lk. wrote as D represents, have we here another instance of editorial discretion shrinking from imputing to Jesus the idea of drinking His blood? If with D we omit all that follows σῶμά μου, then it results that Lk. has left out all the words of our Lord setting forth the significance of His death uttered (1) at Caesarea Philippi; (2) on the occasion of the request of Zebedee's sons; (3) the anointing at Bethany; (4) the institution of the Supper. (2) and (3) are omitted altogether, and (1) is so reported as to make the lesson non-apparent.

[184] Codex Bezae

Continues after advertising

BibliaPlus

Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

Luke 22:17

Old Testament

New Testament